Chapter 628
The Six-Eared Macaque I've Never Met Before!
During the meal, the old man learned of what had happened during the day and couldn't help but sigh, "Elder, you don't know this, but these bandits have committed many evil deeds, and the villagers in the vicinity have suffered greatly because of them, but they have no way to deal with them."
Elder Sun's actions today in ridding the people of a scourge are a good thing, but... his methods were perhaps a bit too harsh.
Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang felt even more ashamed and repeatedly apologized to the old man, saying that he had not disciplined his children properly.
Sun Wukong remained unconcerned, continuing to eat his meal as if he hadn't done anything wrong.
Late at night, when everyone was fast asleep, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from behind.
There were a dozen or so men wielding knives and axes. They were the accomplices of the bandits who had escaped during the day. They had come to avenge their comrade after learning that he had been killed. The leader of them was the son of the old man surnamed Yang.
"Father, they are the ones who killed my brothers! Today I will avenge them!"
Old Man Yang's son, his face contorted with rage, pointed at the sleeping Sun Wukong and the others, and spoke to the bandits beside him.
Seeing this, the old man Yang quickly stepped forward to stop them: "Son, don't be impulsive! Elder Sun and the others are eminent monks on their pilgrimage. They have no intention of harming anyone. You should step back now and not commit any more killings!"
"Father, why are you siding with outsiders!"
Old Man Yang's son roared, "My brothers died so tragically! I swear I will not rest until I avenge this!"
Having said that, he pushed aside Old Man Yang and led the bandits toward Sun Wukong's room.
However, as soon as they got close, they were noticed by Sun Wukong, who had already woken up.
A murderous glint flashed in Sun Wukong's eyes. He was already unhappy because of his master's reprimand during the day, and these bandits dared to come to take revenge in the middle of the night. They were simply courting death.
He quietly got up without alerting anyone, and with his golden cudgel in hand, rushed out of the room like a ghost.
Outside, screams echoed everywhere, and in no time at all, the bandits who came to seek revenge were all killed by Sun Wukong.
Old Man Yang's son was killed by Sun Wukong with a single blow, and his head was forcibly cut off.
Sun Wukong carried the head of Old Man Yang's son into the room, threw the head in front of Tang Sanzang, and said, "Master, look, these bandits are unrepentant and came to take revenge in the middle of the night. I, Old Sun, have already dealt with them all, and no one will bother us anymore."
Looking at the bloodied head before him and then at the grief-stricken expression on Old Man Yang's face, Tang Sanzang's anger finally erupted.
He could no longer tolerate Sun Wukong's behavior, and with trembling hands, he took out the scripture of the headband from his bosom and began to recite it sternly.
The incantation of the headband spell rang in Sun Wukong's ears like a demonic chant. He immediately felt a splitting headache, clutched his head, and rolled on the ground, screaming in agony.
"Master, stop chanting! Stop chanting! I, Old Sun, know I was wrong!"
Sun Wukong pleaded in agony, for he could not bear the excruciating pain caused by the headband.
But Tang Sanzang's mind was made up at this moment. While chanting the Tightening-Headband Mantra, he angrily rebuked, "Wukong, you have repeatedly refused to learn your lesson and have indiscriminately killed innocent people. Your hands are stained with blood. Where is the slightest resemblance to a monk? Today I will drive you away. You are no longer my disciple!"
After chanting for a long time, Tang Sanzang finally stopped. He looked at Sun Wukong, panting, his eyes filled with disappointment and determination: "Leave immediately and never appear before me again! If I see you committing murder again, I will not forgive you!"
Sun Wukong clutched his still-painful head, looking at Tang Sanzang's resolute eyes, feeling both angry and aggrieved.
He couldn't understand why his master didn't understand him at all, even though he was protecting his master and eliminating harm for the people.
But his master had made up his mind, and there was no point in him staying any longer.
Finally, he gave Tang Sanzang a deep look, turned around and transformed into a golden light, disappearing into the night.
After Sun Wukong left, Tang Sanzang looked in the direction he disappeared, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by determination.
His decision might have been somewhat cruel, but for the sake of the pilgrimage and to help Sun Wukong see the error of his ways, he had to do it.
Meanwhile, in the distant Abyss of Darkness, the Buddha Wutian sat upon a black lotus throne, surrounded by a dense aura of darkness, his eyes profound, as if he could see through everything in the world.
He learned of the changes in the pilgrimage team through his spies throughout the three realms, and a sinister smile curled at the corner of his mouth.
"The time has finally come."
The Buddha Wutian muttered to himself, his voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible excitement, "With Tang Sanzang driving away Sun Wukong, the strength of the pilgrimage team has been greatly reduced. This is the best opportunity for us to infiltrate and seize the true scriptures."
He raised his hand and waved, and a black lotus platform appeared from the void. On the lotus platform stood a man dressed in black robes with a face exactly like Sun Wukong. He was none other than the Black Lotus Envoy under the command of the Buddha Wutian.
The Black Lotus Saint Envoy possesses profound strength and is skilled in illusion techniques, capable of creating illusions that are indistinguishable from the real thing.
“Holy Envoy,”
The Buddha Wutian slowly said, "I command you to transform into Sun Wukong and infiltrate the pilgrimage team."
When the time is right, they will seize the true scriptures.
Once I obtain the true scriptures, I will be able to merge with the Great Dao, become the ruler of the primordial chaos realm, and create a peaceful paradise without strife or killing.
This matter is of utmost importance; you must be extremely careful and never reveal your identity.
"Yes, sir!"
The Black Lotus Envoy knelt on one knee and spoke respectfully, a fanatical glint in his eyes.
He was well aware of the importance of this matter and understood that if he succeeded, he would surely be highly valued by the Buddha Wutian, and his future would be limitless.
Then, the Black Lotus Envoy transformed into a black shadow and vanished instantly into the Abyss of Darkness, speeding towards the direction where Tang Sanzang was.
The next morning, Tang Sanzang woke up and, remembering how he had driven Sun Wukong away the day before, couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.
Pigsy and Sandy also noticed their master's emotions and offered words of comfort, but they also felt a little reluctant to see Sun Wukong leave.
“Master, our eldest brother was just confused for a moment. Please forgive him this time. We still need his protection on our journey to the West.”
Pigsy said that although he often bickered with Monkey King, he knew in his heart that Monkey King was the strongest. Without him, the journey to the West would be even more difficult.
Sha Wujing chimed in, "Master, Second Brother is right. Eldest Brother isn't inherently bad; he's just a bit reckless. Please give him another chance."
Tang Sanzang shook his head and said, "Let's not mention this matter again. Wukong has repeatedly failed to correct his ways and has been killing innocent people indiscriminately. I have made up my mind to drive him away."
No matter how difficult the journey to the West may be, we must walk it on our own.
Just then, the Black Lotus Envoy, disguised as Sun Wukong, carrying a bucket of water, walked towards Tang Sanzang.
With a fawning smile on his face, he said, "Master, I know I was wrong. Please forgive me. I will never dare to kill innocent people again."
"This is water I brought you, please drink some to soothe your throat." When Tang Sanzang saw "Sun Wukong," a complex emotion flashed in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by disgust.
He said coldly, "Go away. I am no longer your master, and don't ever appear in front of me again."
The Black Lotus Envoy was overjoyed, knowing that Tang Sanzang harbored resentment towards Sun Wukong at the moment, which was a good opportunity for him to act.
He feigned a wronged expression and said, "Master, I, Old Sun, truly know I was wrong. Please give me another chance. I will definitely protect you and escort you to obtain the true scriptures."
"No need."
Tang Sanzang was resolute and turned to leave.
Upon seeing this, the Black Lotus Envoy's eyes flashed with a sinister glint, and he ceased his pretense.
He kicked out suddenly, knocking Tang Sanzang to the ground, then snatched the luggage from Sha Wujing's hands.
Above the chaotic void, the sea of clouds stretched like ribbons, with wisps of innate spiritual energy transforming into silver bands that entwined around the edge of the invisible barrier.
Jiang Wangjing stood on the cloud platform, three distinct halos of light swirling around his fingertips. Each halo corresponded to a task option from the Heavenly Dao. As the halos shifted, the causal threads behind the tasks could be vaguely seen, spreading like a spider web towards the distant Journey to the West.
He was dressed in a moon-white Taoist robe, with faint cloud patterns embroidered on the hem, which floated slightly in the void.
His long hair was tied up with a jade hairpin, with a few strands falling in front of his forehead and swaying gently with his breathing.
At this moment, his gaze was fixed on the three light screens floating in front of him. His eyes were deep, as if they could penetrate the light screens and see the countless possibilities behind the mission.
The first light barrier was dark gold, with runes flashing on it, and the clanging sounds of weapons clashing could be faintly heard; it was the message "Help the Six-Eared Macaque kill Sun Wukong and imprison Tang Sanzang".
The task.
Within the light screen, the figure of the Six-Eared Macaque appeared and disappeared. He held the Ruyi Jingu Bang (a type of iron rod), his eyes were arrogant, and he exuded an aura very similar to that of Sun Wukong, but with a touch more sinister.
Sun Wukong was surrounded in the center, his golden cudgel wielding impenetrably, his face full of anger and confusion, while Tang Sanzang trembled and looked terrified.
Jiang Wang frowned slightly, his fingertips brushing across the first light screen, and the aura on the screen instantly flooded into his senses.
He could clearly sense the malevolent aura emanating from the Six-Eared Macaque, which was not of the righteous path, and his inexplicable hostility towards Sun Wukong.
"The Six-Eared Macaque..."
Jiang Wang murmured to himself, recalling records about one of the Four Mischievous Monkeys.
This monkey is good at listening, can understand reason, know the past and the future, and understands everything. However, it is naturally unruly, brave and fierce, and has no relationship with him whatsoever.
Sun Wukong, the one who grew from a stone monkey into the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, is the most vivid memory in Jiang Wang's childhood.
I still remember when I was young, I longed for Sun Wukong in the storybooks. I longed for his unruly behavior in making havoc in the Heavenly Palace, his hatred of evil, and his loyalty and righteousness.
It was a pure form of worship, unrelated to strength or cause and effect; it was simply a attraction drawn to that figure who dared to defy the heavens.
"I have no connection with the Six-Eared Macaque, but Wukong was my childhood idol..."
Jiang Wang shook his head, flicked his fingertips slightly, and the first dark golden light screen vanished like a bubble. "This option is not selected."
As soon as the words fell, the threads of cause and effect in the void twitched slightly, and the thread pointing to the Six-Eared Macaque quietly broke, turning into specks of spiritual light and dissipating.
Having ruled out the first option, Jiang Wang's gaze fell on the second light screen.
The light screen was crimson gold, its intense light like a raging fire, and the task on it was "to help Wukong kill the Six-Eared Macaque and refine him."
In the light screen, Sun Wukong, holding his golden cudgel, was surrounded by golden light, his eyes resolute, as he fiercely clashed with the Six-Eared Macaque.
The Golden Cudgel clashed with the Free Will Iron Staff, sparking dazzling sparks that caused the surrounding space to distort slightly.
In the end, Sun Wukong knocked the Six-Eared Macaque to the ground with a single blow, his golden cudgel pointing directly at the monkey's forehead. The Six-Eared Macaque, filled with resentment, gradually transformed into a stream of light, which Sun Wukong absorbed into his body and began to refine.
Beside the light screen, a Primordial Spirit Crystal floated quietly. The crystal was crystal clear and exuded a rich Primordial aura, with the Daoist rhyme flowing within it faintly visible.
Jiang Wang reached out and gently touched the Primordial Spirit Crystal with his fingertips. A surge of pure energy flowed into his body through his fingertips, causing his magical power to stir slightly.
This Primordial Spirit Crystal is a supreme treasure for cultivation, greatly beneficial for improving cultivation level and stabilizing one's foundation, making it an extremely generous reward.
He did not make a decision immediately, but instead turned his gaze to the third light screen.
The light screen was purplish-gold in color, with a deep and profound light, carrying a pressure that came from the source. Its mission was to "help Tang Sanzang kill the two monkeys and refine them."
In the light screen, Tang Sanzang held the headband, his expression solemn, chanting incantations. The headband emitted a faint golden light, transforming into a shackle that simultaneously bound Sun Wukong and the Six-Eared Macaque.
The two monkeys struggled in agony but could not break free. In the end, their bodies gradually dissipated and were refined and absorbed by Tang Sanzang.
The reward next to the light screen was a Primal Spirit Crystal. The crystal was light purple, with a delicate luster flowing across its surface, and it exuded an aura that was purer and more primal than that of a Primal Chaos Spirit Crystal.
Jiang Wang could clearly sense that this Origin Spirit Crystal contained a trace of the power of the Great Dao's origin. If he obtained it, his Primordial Chaos Evolution Dao Technique, a Primordial Chaos-level divine ability, would be greatly enhanced.
They can then directly break through to the Origin Level, and their strength will experience a qualitative leap.
"Primal Spirit Crystal..."
A hint of emotion flashed in Jiang Wang's eyes; the temptation of this reward was undeniable.
The difference between the Primordial Chaos level and the Origin level may seem to be only one word, but in reality, they are worlds apart.
While Primordial-level divine abilities are powerful, they are still bound by the rules of Heaven, while Origin-level divine abilities can touch the origin of the Great Dao. Every move they make is empowered by the power of the origin, making them infinitely powerful.
But he quickly calmed down and turned his gaze back to Tang Sanzang in the third light screen.
He was a kind-faced monk dressed in a brocade robe. Although his face was solemn, his eyes could not hide a trace of reluctance.
Jiang Wang knew Tang Sanzang's character well. He had been a monk since childhood and was compassionate. He felt guilty even for stepping on an ant, let alone killing Sun Wukong, who had been with him day and night and escorted him on his journey to the west, as well as the Six-Eared Macaque, whom he had never met before.
"To guide Tang Sanzang to kill the two monkeys... is extremely difficult."
Jiang Wang pondered in a low voice, constantly considering various possibilities in his mind.
Although Tang Sanzang was dissatisfied with Sun Wukong and even wanted to drive him away many times, it was ultimately out of the bond between master and disciple, and he had no intention of killing him.
To make him commit murder, there would have to be a major upheaval, or his mind would have to be twisted in some way. (End of Chapter)